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Former publisher of The New York Times dies aged 86

Brian Whelan

September 30 2012, 3:05pm, The Sunday Times

In this 1992 image released by The New York Times, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger poses in the Times boardroom in New York. Sulzburger, former New York Times publisher and CEO, a driving force in the evolution of one of the most prestigious and influential US newspapers, died on September 29, 2012, at the age of 86. Sulzberger died at his home in Southampton, New York after a long illness, his newspaper reported. Sulzberger oversaw the Times’ transformation from a tightly-controlled family operation -- his grandfather had bought the daily in 1896 -- to the nucleus of a news powerhouse that now includes magazines, TV and radio stations and online operations. (Burk Uzzle)

THE former publisher of The New York Times, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, has died aged 86 at his home in Southampton, New York after a long illness.

Sulzberger's family has controlled the newspaper since 1896, when his grandfather Adolph S Ochs acquired it.

During his 34-years as publisher and chairman Sulzberger, nicknamed “Punch”, oversaw coverage of some of the biggest events of the 20th century, including the Vietnam war.

Under his leadership the paper embarked on a rapid expansion to become a proper national paper. Weekday circulation climbed from 714,000 in 1963 when Sulzberger became publisher to 1.1m upon his retirement from that role in 1992.

During this period the title gained 31 Pulitzer prizes and won a 1964 legal ruling that strengthened first amendment protections…

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